Vietnamese coffee farmers are moving away from traditional coffee cultivation, opting instead for durian due to the fruit's rising demand in China and its higher profit margins. This trend is reshaping Vietnam's agricultural sector, as highlighted by the BBC. As the leading global producer of Robusta coffee, Vietnam is witnessing a decline in coffee exports as durian farming becomes more prevalent. The financial benefits of durian, reportedly yielding up to five times the profit of coffee, are attracting farmers to this alternative. Will Frith, a coffee consultant in Ho Chi Minh City, noted, "There's a history of Vietnamese growers being quick to respond to market changes."
From 2023 to 2024, Vietnam's durian exports to China nearly doubled, making the fruit increasingly popular. Concurrently, Robusta coffee exports fell by 50% in June 2024 compared to the previous year, as per the International Coffee Organisation. The switch to durian is partly due to the challenges faced in coffee farming, such as climate change-related droughts and erratic weather, which have adversely affected coffee yields. Durian, being more resilient and profitable, has become a preferred crop for many farmers.
This shift towards durian cultivation is raising concerns in the global coffee sector, which depends on Vietnam's Robusta beans. "With coffee stockpiles dwindling and durian production ramping up, the global coffee market is feeling the strain," Frith explained. The ongoing trend of prioritizing durian over coffee raises questions about the future of Vietnam's coffee industry and its impact on both the local and global coffee supply.
Source: BNE Intellinews